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Item Details

Description

There is still time to make arrangements to fly to the USA next month, and enjoy this major Vintage Race Event

http://www.vscda.org/events/elkhart-lake-vintage-festival/

Rare opportunity ... This Historic Volvo 444 is believed to be the oldest Volvo race car in the US that is still active

It is already registered to race in the vintage Volvo race at the VOLVO NATIONALS, Road America, Elkhart Lake Wisconsin, in September

If you are interested in experiencing this highly regarded Vintage Event " UP CLOSE "

this is an opportunity that rarely exists,

We have Many more pictures , including old race pictures, and detailed restoration pictures by Gallant.

ALL REASONABLE OFFERS CONSIDERED

This car is for sale at shop. and listing may end at any time
As always. I will consider any reasonable offer to end early
and please check our Store for other Vintage race cars

This Volvo has been a racecar nearly all it's life, believed to have been imported by Klein and Hirsch to be raced by Ron Pearson, who is credited with Volvo's 1956 & 57 early debut as a winning Sports Sedan in the United States

it is an early 444 with the split windshield. and has a race built B18 motor, built by Gallant Racing Engines in California. .

Several drivers have raced this car during the late 50's, 60' and 70's . including Dan Gallant of Gallant Racing Shop in Oakland California . who raced it until selling it 1975 .
Dan and his wife/partner Karen ( he builds the cars ; she builds race motors) found the car again, in 2011 and decided to restore it for Vintage Racing. The car was completed, but unfortunately at age 69. Dan's health issues caused them to sell the car in 2013.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION.... As evidenced in the many pictures, Dan took the time to restore the car without making any significant changes from " as original in period " , so the car appears nearly identical in period correctness.

The car resides at my race car restoration shop in Alabama,
but now at age 74, I think others will enjoy it more often than I will.

This is a very well prepared, and nicely restored Volvo 444. I consider it track ready. but as with any racecar, I think individual preferences and pre-race checks should be considered upon receipt, but it currenty IS prepared for the upcoming National Volvo Race

If you have never driven the 444/544 cars, they have a very large cockpit, and this car is quite comfortable with plenty of leg and headroom. It could accommodate a passenger seat , if rallying is a consideration.

I believe the car complies with FIA Homologation , copy of papers included , with the exception of front disc brakes, which can easily be changed, if needed.

The car has a current SCCA Annual Tech Inspection ,
noted in the original SCCA log book.

1957 Volvo 444
Logbook: SCCA 33-240
Condition: Very Good

Description

The car has been raced since the 1950's. The log book with it, is the original , issued when SCCA began issuing logbooks in 1970. The car has been updated to a B18 engine and the suspension. transmission and rear end have been overhauled. The brakes are Volvo discs front and drum rear. It has a fire system. new belts. and is ready to run. Illness forces sale.

History

SCCA B Sedan race group. Races from 1970 listed in log book. but was raced earlier , believed since the late 50'S, although no log books were issued before 1970 by SCCA.

and two ring binders full of early race and restoration pictures and technical data

Raced through the 60's and 70's on Californian tracks. This is a typical West Coast car that is solid and without rust.

COMPLETELY taken down to bare metal and 'every nut and bolt' restoration in 2011.
This car was found by the Gallants. 'tired' but 'unmolested' as the pictures included with the car will show. . Stripped to bare metal and repainted. and all mechanics rebuilt or renewed. Numerous pictures of it supplied in a 3 ring binder by the Gallants, including 1970's race pictures, pictures when " found" in 2011, and many detail pictures while being lovingly restored during restoration. come with the car.

Included also. is a second ring binder. full of the Gallants notes and detailed specifications for building , both the motor. as well as suspension set-up. etc.

It will be obvious. the motor is not a low-budget build, and there is a significant amount of 'trick' work in the head and valvetrain, for both power. and reliability

Recent cars shipped to the Port of Rotterdam in closed container from Port of Savannah Georgia

and usually the car can be at the Savannah Terminal in approximately 7-10 days.